Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-04-14
A LOUISIANA BALL.
HOW THE cREoLEs OF THE At
TAKAPUS PRAIRIE ENJOY LIFE.

Across the rolling Attakapus prairie
small cavalcade trotted, apparently in no
hurry to reach its destination The natural
gait of the little Creole ponies was an easy
''lope'' or canter: therefore it was that the
irregular. rough trot of the animals evi-
denced restraining pull at the heavy bits.
There We're five in the party, all excellent
horsemen and all dressed in the coarse but
durable homespun cOttonade OF that section
OF louisiana They seemed to be enjoying
themselves for their hearty laughter and
loud repartee, in French, all talking at one
time. bespoke freedom from care and also
a source of amusement they possessed in
common.
In the distance, Just peeping above one OF
the swells in the prairie, the slender splre OF
the little church of St. Pierre broke the line
of the horizon, and in its direction the
party were riding Out upon these broad
stretches of almost treeless country distances
are very deceptive, and it was about two
hours after the steeple was first seen that
the riders reined up in the little town. The
settlement did not comprise more than
twenty-five or thirty houses, the most con-
spicuous of which were the church referred
20 and two stores
The visitors alighted at one of the stores,
and were cordially greeted by the crowd
there assembled. They seemed to know
everybody and everybody was on terms Of
intimacy with them, for they were ad-
dressed by their Christian names and slapped
affectionately on the back.
The lately arrived horsemen were taken
in charge by friends, and each was escorted
off to dinner III some of the comfortable
dwellings, from the chimneys of which the
curling smoke gave sign of the good cheer
within.
General hospitality wore away the after
noon, and as the evening came slowly over
the prairie from the far east, where it was
already dark, a number of riding parties
passed down the road, bound for some place
beyond. Soon there were twenty-five or
thirty on their way, and with them ths visit
ors Dressed in all the brilliancy of highly
colored calicoes, dark eyed demoiselles gal
Ioped along as if grown TO their side saddles,
and their merry laughter made the somber
quiet of the prairie musical as they rode.
An hours ride brought the party to their
destination. The house stood alone on the
prairie. sheltered by two or three live oaks.
-Four rooms. with broad gallery in front,
a hallway through the middle and large
dining room, taking up the ground plan of
the isolated dwelling. A bright bonfire was
burning in front and the windows glistened
like squarely cut rubies with the genial il
Illumination inside.
A large number of men and women, at
tired in quite gay toilets, welcomed the
newly arrived and for time nothing could
be heard but the warm salutatiOns of friends.
The large dining room in the rear was the
main object of interest. and after ribbons
had been arranged back hair adjusted and
skirts smoothed down all the ladies hurried
TO its precincts The floor was cleared of all
furniture, and around the walls long benches
of boards had been put up, that as many as
possible might be accommodated with seats.
Beside the windows and doors smoking can
dies, inserted in auger holes bored in small
pieces of wood, gave a bright light that
afforded one an opportunity of a more care
full inspection of tine guests.
All ages were represented, but the young
were in the majority Married danes with
infants in arms moved about as full of the
enjoyment of the hour as the bellies decked
out in ribbons and perfumed with cinnamon
essence At about $50 O'Clock the shrill
squeak OF violin sounded from one corner
of the ballroom and was followed by the
deep diapason of an accordion.
The floor was cleared and the young gal
lants selected their partners. The full faced
old gentleman with silver spectaCles whis
pered to his neighbor with the accordion,
''Un! Deux! Trois!'' and off they started
sometimes the accordion ahead, snd then
the violin, in the inspiriting movement of an
old fashioned maZOurka. The benches
around the room were now crowded with
the feminine portion OF the guests, the male
admirers being compelled to stand in the
,NA.
drunk in the animated scene
After each dance there was promenade,
which afforded anxious mothers an oppor-
tunity of seeking their infants where they
were all nestled together ON one bed in
rear chamber, a Id there to quiet lusty cries
induced by hunger by hurried administra-
ton of natures best infantile food. Dance
followed dance. Then the quadrille was
announced, and three sets took the floor.
The old violinist was now in his element.
Beating time with the toe of a very heavy
boot, he made it impossible for the dancers
to forget the measure, and in musical lit
tie voice he instructed the more modest in
the figures with "Avant deux? Balanced
Chassezl CroiSezi Chaine des dames,''
In the midst of the Gladys chain stem
torian voice from the front room called out
"Gombo.'' The music lost its influence and
there was rush for the hall Men sought
their favOrites this way and that, anxious
maidens kept their eyes on the floor hoping
for the coming of certain gallants. There
was some crowding around the entrance to
the improvised refreshment room from
which came the savory odor of rich gombo
and strong coffee. Unlike the custom at
balls within the jurisdiction of more cere-
monious social code the gallants passed their
fair ones alone by the doorkeeper into the
sunptuous feast and then adjourned to the
front gallery to smoke cigarette
As the ladies completed their hurried re-
past and approached the door to make an
exit, the doorkeeper with lusty voice shouted
the name of the demoiselles' escort, "Jean
Servat! AlphOnse Descallel Bebe Latouri
These knights soon put in an appearance,
and paying the modest sum of twenty-five
cents for the gombo their bellies had eaten,
secured their freedom from the doorkeeper's
demands. With chivalric regards the men
await their repast until the fairer are all
served
Happy in the enjoyment of the lovely
dance and gay conversation, the guests for
got the gallop of the hours, and when the
gray of morning began to steal over the
prairie then only did they realize that New
Years day had come and another year was
ushered in.-Charles L. Whitney in Times
Democrat.